Press for adhesively bonding soles to footwear



Feb. 26, 1963 H. GIERSE 3,073,483

PRESS FOR ADHESIVELY BONDING SOLES TO FOOTWEAR Filed Jan. 18, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 PRESS FOR ADHESIVELYY BONDING SOLES T0 FOOTWEAR Filed Jan. 18, 1961 H. GIERSE Feb. 26, 1963 4 sheets-sheet 2 J INVEN TOR Feb. 26, 1963 H. GIERSE 3,

PRESS FQR ADHESIVELY BONDING SOLES T0 FOOTWEAR Filed Jan. 18, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,078,483 PRESS FOR ADHESTVELY BONDHNG SULES T0 FOOTWEAR Heinz Gierse, Taunnsstr. 33, Kohl-Halls, Germany Filed Jan. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 83,454 12 Claims. (Ci. 12--37) This invention relates to presses. More particularly, the present invention relates to bonding presses for adhesively bonding soles and the like to footwear and repair presses therefor.

Presses for bonding soles, heels and the like to shoes are known. The usual press is provided with lasts for carrying shoes, and these lasts serve as an abutment for a pad which is used to press the sole or the like on to the footwear. During the pressing operation, either the pad or the last is moved towards the other pressing member. Since pressure between the last and the pad must be maintained for some time, there is a certain delay or a certain time of waiting during which the press is performing its pressing operaiton. This delay or waiting time provides for idle time for the operator of the press during which time the operators attention is required and yet is of such a short period that the operator cannot perform any other duties. This waiting time normally extends until the last or the press become free for another bonding cycle. This Waiting time results in quite considerable losses of productive operator time since the footwear must be placed on its proper last and the position of the sole to be bonded must be placed into suitable position on the press before the bonding process can be carried out on the press so that there is also idle time during which time the press is not in operation. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide apparatus for adhesively bonding soles or the like to footwear whereby the waiting time of the operator is decreased.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for bonding soles to footwear requiring different lasts whereby to decrease the idle time of the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a press with an indexing mechanism to position a pair of lasts under a pressure member of the press automatically.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device to render the pressure member operative to perform its pressing operation when a pair of lasts have been placed into position to cooperate with the pressure member.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a last carrying member adapted to receive a plurality of lasts and to position one or more of the last-ssuccessively in position to cooperate with a pressing member to carry out the pressing operation.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a further development and improvement of the sole-bonding process.

The present invention provides for a plurality of lasts which are arranged in a spaced-apart position at the circumference of a last holder, such as a rotatable or adjustable drum, disc, rotary table or movable endless conveyor belt or the like. Each of the last holders is provided with a plurality of last coupling devices by means of which the lasts are fixed in position on the holder for movement therewith.

The last holder can be adjusted and fixed by indexing means and locking mean-s so that the pairs of lasts can be moved into the effective plane of the pressing pad while .being prevented from movement out of the effective plane.

With the bonding press of this invention, soling of shoes and especially repair work on shoes can be effected at a 3,078,483 Patented Feb. 26, 19fi3 "ice speed which was impossible up to the present. Manipulation of the lasts provided at the last holder, such as the drum, is eliminated. Moreover, independently of the single or the pair of lasts under the press, adjacent lasts or adjacent pairs of lasts may be used for preparing the work or for removing repaired footwear.

It will be evident that while the press is performing its pressing operation, the operator instead of having idle time while waiting for the press to complete its pressing operation can now perform those operations normally required to prepare the footwear before it is placed onto the press. In addition, while the operator is preparing the footwear, there is no idle or Waiting time for the press as the press can continue to operate and perform its function on previously prepared footwear.

The preparation of work for the pressing cycle can be attended to extensively and without hastiness on one of the lasts prior to pressing and after the pressing cycle, the necessary work for the footwear with the bonded soles can be performed while the footwear, if necessary, may remain on the last. This is a considerable reduction in idle time. The repair press may be successively used for the pressing cycle proper.

The arrangement may be such that the endless conveyor belt, the drum, the disc or the slide are provided with lasts of the same type and size so that the same footwear may be treated in succession on the same equipment. As an alternative, the last holder may be constructed such that it is provided with difierent sizes and shapes of last pairs, e.g. for gentlemens shoes of different sizes, for ladies shoes of different sizes and for childrens shoes. In this manner, all of the work accruing can be carried out as it arrives using the same bonding press and also with a saving of time. It is only necessary to move the pair of lasts required under the compression pad by operating the last holder, such as by turning the drum or the disc, or by displacing the slide or moving the endless conveyor belt. Of course, both types of operation may be combined.

Indexing means are also provided to ensure that the proper lasts are placed into position for performance of the pressing operation. The indexing means in addition to positioning the last holder in'its proper position also is effective to lock the holder in its proper position and to render the pressure member of the press operative to perform the pressing operation.

Locking of the endless conveyor belt, the drum, the disc or the slide is preferably effected by means of grooves serving as catches which are engaged by a push rod upon actuation thereof. This operation can be performed by the operator by means of a hand lever or a foot lever.

According to a further feature of the invention, the pairs of lasts or the adjustable holders are maintained at the same height below the pad. In contrast to this, the pressing member or compression pad is moved to perform the pressingcycle. The movement of the compression pad is preferably performed by means of a hydraulic piston which forms part of a hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly. The pad itself is advantageously designed as a laminate consisting of alternating layers of foamed rubber or the like, leather or the like. The pad should be of sufficient height and elasticity to ensure that sufficient and uniform pressure is applied, particularly when different pairs of lasts or lasts of different shapes are pressed against the pad. 1

The actuation of the piston-cylinder assembly takes place after the indexing means has positioned the lasts for pressing operation. The indexing means is effective to render the piston-cylinder assembly"operative to be energized by the operator. Energization of the pistoncylinder assembly cannot be performed until the indexing means has properly positioned the lasts to be pressed.

With this invention, it is now possible to perform the 3 pressing operation on a single last, a pair of lasts or any plurality of lasts while at the same time enabling the operator to attend to the required preparing functions and finishing functions on the same number of lasts as being pressed.

According to the invention, a press is provided for adhesively bonding soles to footwear, wherein the compression pad is movable in a direction towards the lasts, a plurality of spaced-apart lasts are provided onthe holder, catch means is provided to adjust and lock the holders so that one or more lasts can be moved into the effective plane of the compression pad while each last is retained in a fixed position.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved press of the above character which is of simple design and construction, economical to manufacture and highly efficient in the accomplishment of its intended purpose.

The objects, advantages and nature of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention shown, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view partially in section of a bonding press in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line IIII of FIG. 1. A pair of lasts are shown in FIG. 1 in phantom wherein one last protrudes from the casing through an opening 33 as shown on the left side of the casing, the other of the pair of lasts being accessible through opening 33. This corresponds to a position whereat the lasts can be used prepare the footwear to be pressed. Smilarly, a symmetrical position on the right side of the casing enable access to the footwear subsequent to pressing whereby the finished work can be removed from the lasts.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view partially in section of a bonding press in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of the embodiment in FIG. 3 along the line IVIV.

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of a further embodiment of the invention and wherein a reciprocating slide is shown;

FIG. 6 shows a three sided drum adaptable for use in the press according to FIG. 1.

In order to simplify the drawings, portions "of the apparatus not essential to an understanding of the invention have been omitted while at the same time the drawings illustrate the presently preferred mode of practicing the invention.

A bonding press according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a stand or framework 1 provided with an upper overhanging portion 30 which supports a hydraulically actuated piston 19' and cylinder assembly and with a lower part 32 forming a casing 3 in which a last carrying mechanism is positioned.

The last carrying mechanism includes a last holder or last carrying drum 5 which is rotatably mounted on an axle 4 by means of bearings 6 such as ball bearings. Axle 4 is fixed to but spaced from the base of casing 3 by means of vertical supports 34 and fixed end members 36. Drum 4 is shown in FIG. 1 with an outer polygonal surface having six sides such that a section taken through its axis would provide a hexagonal shape. Drum 4 is shown in FIG. 6 with three sides.

It will be evident that any number of sides could be provided. At least three sides, however, should be provided so that one pair of lasts such as lasts 8 and 9 shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 6 and shown in position in FIG. 2 for a pressing operation can be used for the pressing operation while another pair of lasts can be used to remove the finished work and a further pair of lasts can be used to prepare the footwear to be pressed.

In FIG. 6 the lasts are accessible through opening 33 of the casing, the lasts protruding through the casing in a position corresponding to the bonding operation. It will also be evident that the drum can be made narrower along its axial length so as to accommodate only one last or wider along its axial length so as to accommodate more than one pair of lasts.

Lasts 3 and 9 are removably coupled to the last holder 5 by means of coupling devices such as sockets 7 which are placed on the outer periphery or circumference of the last holder and couple the lasts 8, 9 in a spaced-apart arrangement on the last holder '5. Coupling devices 7 are of the type which permits the rapid attachment of the lasts 8, 9 to and detachment fnom the last holder 5.

In order to enable an operator to position the last holder 5 in a plurality of positions and one or more lasts 8, 9 successively under the compression pad 2, an indexing and locking means is provided which includes a slotted disc 10 fixedly connected by means of studs 38 to drum 5- for rotation therewith. Disc 10- is provided with a plurality of notches 11, one notch being provided for each side or surface of the polygonally shaped drum 5. A push rod 12 is retained for movement solely in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the drum 5 and axle 4 by means of a guideway 40 having a transverse opening in a direction perpendicular to the axis of drum 5. Guideway 40 is connected to casing 3. Push rod 12' has one end adapted for engagement with one of the plurality of notches 11 when in vertical alignment therewith and has another end coupled to one end of a control lever 13'. A base or frame 16 fixed to the base of casing 3 for fixing or referencing a foot lever 14 which extends out of casing 3'. Foot lever 14 is articulated at an intermediate point thereof by means of a pin to the other end of the control lever 13- 'and at its end it is pivotally connected to the frame 16 by means of pin 15. Slotted disc in and push rod 12 are effective to index and lock the last holder 5 in position for the pressing operation.

When the operator presses the foot lever 14 it is effective to release the push rod 12 from engagement with one of the notches 11 and permit the rotation of the last holder 5 and slotted disc 10. The pair of lasts desired according to the requirements may then be moved into vertical position below the pad 2. Lever 14 may be positioned at a higher point and operated as a hand lever.

In order to ensure that push rod 12 remains engaged with the aligned notch, a compression spring 42 is provided having one end bearing against and retained by the lower portion of guideway 40 and the other end hearing against and retained by the lower part of an enlarged head portion of push rod 12. Push rod 12, in addition to passing through the transverse opening in guideway 40 passes through and is surrounded by the compression spring 42 for retention thereof in a vertical position. Foot lever M is effective to overcome the force of spring 42 and compress the same to disengage push rod 12 from the aligned notch of the plurality of notches 11.

While a drum has been shown as the last holder 5, it is evident that an endless conveyor belt can also be provided having a slotted disc or other indexing mechanism to position the desired lasts under compression pad 2. The last holder may also be a disc which is rotatable with a vertical shaft. This is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein disc 5:: supports the last holders 8 and 9. The last holder may also consist of a reciprocating slide 43 as shown in FIG. 5.

The pad has its surface lying in a plane parallel to the axis of the drum 4 or last holder 5, disc 5a, or reciprocating slide 43. The pad has the form of a lami' nate preferably consisting of a soft foamed plastic material, e.g. foamed rubber, or a foamed plastic composition and a material of higher hardness, e.g. leather, is arranged for replacement in a sleeve 18 and coupled to piston 19 by means of a pin 17. Operation is effected by means of the hydraulically actuated piston 19 which may be charged by any suitable pressure medium andis movable in the cylinder 20-. The pad 2 has coupled there screens v.5 to and is guided by guide rods 21 which in turn are guided in bearings 22 fixed to the upper part 3%. The hydraulic mechanism may be actuated by means of a lever 23.

The indexing and locking means, is effective to prevent the hydraulically actuated piston-cylinder assembly from being rendered operative by means of lever 23 thereby ensuring that no pressing takes place unless the lever 14 is released and engaged in one of the plurality of notches. To this extent a pressure line 39 connects the hydraulic cylinder 2% to a line 46- which leads by way of a valve 41 to the collecting tank 42 of the pressure fluid. The valve 41 includes a push-rod 41a, which is in contact with the lever 14. Upon depression of the lever 14, the valve 41 is opened to cause pressure loss in lines 39, 4t} whereby the ram 17 cannot be moved when the push-rod 12 is disengaged. Only after the push-rod 12 is in locking engagement to arrest movement of the drum will pressure fluid be supplied to cylinder 2%, since the valve 41 will be closed. Guide rods 21 together with the piston 19 ensure the vertical movement of pad 2 such that the surface thereof is moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the lasts and the plane of pad 2. It will be evident that the holder may be provided with pairs of lasts of diiierent sizes and shapes or with pairs of lasts of the same shape and size.

While there has been shown what is at present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is apparent that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, intended in the accompanying claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A press for adhesively bonding soles to footwear, comprising a compression pad including a substantially flat planar surface, a rotatable drum having an axis of rotation parallel to said pad, a plurality of last coupling devices coupled to said drum for rotation therewith, each of said last coupling devices being adapted to carry lasts of different sizes and shapes, and means coupled to said drum effective to lock said drum in a plurality of positions successively to position a separate pair of lasts in a plane substantially parallel to the planar surface of said pad.

2. A press as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotatable drum has an outer polygonal configuration with a plurality of plane surfaces parallel to said drum axis, a pair of said plurality of last coupling devices being coupled to each plane surface of said plurality of plane surfaces, and said locking means includes a locking device for each said last-mentioned plane surfaces.

3. A press as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a disc having a plurality of notches, one for each locking position of said drum, said disc being coupled to said drum for rotation therewith, a push rod movable between positions of engagement and disengagement with a notch of said plurality of notches and means coupled to said push rod to move the same into engagement with one of said notches.

4. Apparatus for adhesively bonding soles to footwear comprising compression means, means carrying a plurality of lasts, means to move said carrying means to position a pair of said plurality of lasts successively in cooperative position with said compression means and indexing means operatively coupled to said carrying means effective to retain said carrying means in position with the pair of lasts in the cooperative position with said compression means.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said compression means comprises a vertically supported hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder assembly, a laminated plastic pad coupled to said piston, vertical guide means coupled to said pad to guide the vertical movement thereof and means coupled to said assembly to ensure the vertical movement of said pad.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said carrying means comprises a rotatable drum and a plurality of last carrying members positioned on the periphery of said drum.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said carrying means comprises a vertical shaft, a rotatable disc coupled to said shaft and a plurality of last carrying members positioned on one side of said disc.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said carrying means comprises a reciprocating slide and a plurality of last carrying members on said slide.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said carrying means includes a plurality of removable coupling devices for removaoly coupling said plurality of lasts.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said indexing means includes a member having a plurality of indexing notches connected to said carrying means and a notch engaging rod engaging one of said notches when aligned therewith.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including a guide- Way having a transverse opening and a compression spring in said guidew'ay, said notch engaging rod passing through said spring and said guideway and controlled thereby for vertical movement, a head portion on one end of said rod for engaging said one notch and retaining said spring in said guideway.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 including a cortrol lever coupled to the other end of said rod and an operating lever coupled to said control lever effective to move said rod against the force of said spring to remove said rod from said one notch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,716,287 Wentworth June 4, 1929 2,977,609 Clinch Apr. 4, 196 1 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,940 Great Britain Oct. 27, 1906 25,512 Great Britain Nov. 3, 1910 118,151 Russia Apr. 14, 1958 

1. A PRESS FOR ADHESIVELY BONDING SOLES TO FOOTWEAR, COMPRISING A COMPRESSION PAD INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT PLANAR SURFACE, A ROTATABLE DRUM HAVING AN AXIS OF ROTATION PARALLEL TO SAID PAD, A PLURALITY OF LAST COUPLING DEVICES COUPLED TO SAID DRUM FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, EACH OF SAID LAST COUPLING DEVICES BEING ADAPTED TO CARRY LASTS OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND SHAPES, AND MEANS COUPLED TO SAID DRUM EFFECTIVE TO LOCK SAID DRUM IN A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS SUCCESSIVELY TO POSITION A SEPARATE PAIR OF LASTS IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE PLANAR SURFACE OF SAID PAD. 